Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Aruna Asaf Ali, celebrated as one of India’s foremost female freedom fighters, gained prominence during the Quit India Movement in 1942, earning her the title of the “Grand Old Lady of Indian Independence.” Her unwavering commitment to the liberation cause led to her being honored with the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and the Bharat Ratna in 1997, posthumously. Born on July 16, 1909, in Kalka, British India, Aruna Asaf Ali hailed from a Bengali Brahmin family. Educated in Lahore, she later became the first mayor of Delhi after India gained independence. Her involvement in various facets of the independence movement,…

Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s innovative Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for its significant impact on various fronts including production, exports, and employment opportunities. Chandrasekhar highlighted the remarkable progress made under the PLI scheme, particularly citing Apple’s achievement of surpassing $14 billion in iPhone production within just 11 months of FY24. He emphasized the substantial employment opportunities generated, particularly in iPhone manufacturing facilities operated by major companies like Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron, indicating a promising outlook for youth employment. Additionally, Chandrasekhar underscored the scheme’s focus on enhancing exports, revealing that…

A report by CareEdge Ratings indicates that India’s reduced dependence on imported LNG, declining from 53% in FY21 to around 45% by FY26, is attributed to increased domestic natural gas production. Despite challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions affecting imported LNG prices, India aims to elevate natural gas’s share in its energy mix to 15% by 2030. Over the past three years, approximately 30 MMSCMD of new domestic natural gas production has been introduced, with an additional 15 MMSCMD expected by FY25. This focus extends to various sectors, including distribution, fertilizers, refineries, city gas power, and petrochemicals.…

Smt. Patil took office as the 12th President of India on July 25, 2007, making history as the first woman to hold the position. Before her presidency, she served as the Governor of Rajasthan from November 8, 2004, to June 21, 2007. On December 19, 1934, she was born in Nadgaon village, Jalgaon District, Maharashtra. She attended RR Vidyalaya, Jalgaon, and earned a Master’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Mooljee Jetha College, Jalgaon. She further pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree from Government Law College, Bombay (Mumbai). Besides her academic pursuits, she actively participated in sports, excelling in…

Kennametal, an industrial manufacturing company based in Pennsylvania, has announced the promotion of Sanjay Chowbey, an Indian American executive, as its new president and CEO, effective June 1. Chowbey, currently holding dual roles as vice president and president of the metal-cutting segment, will take over from Christopher Rossi upon his retirement. The decision to appoint Chowbey received unanimous approval from Kennametal’s board of directors, according to a statement released by the company. William M. Lambert, the chairman of the board, expressed confidence in Chowbey’s leadership abilities, citing him as a proven business leader and change agent. Chowbey, who joined Kennametal…

Rani Lakshmibai, also known as Jhansi ki Rani, emerged as a prominent figure in the Rebellion of 1857, symbolizing the Indian struggle against British rule. Celebrated as a national icon, her birth anniversary on November 19 is commemorated as Martyr’s Day in Jhansi, honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the rebellion. Born in 1828 as Manikarnika Tambe in Varanasi, Rani Lakshmibai was raised by her father, who encouraged her unconventional upbringing, nurturing her skills in horsemanship, archery, and self-defense. In 1842, she married Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar of Jhansi, adopting the name Rani Lakshmibai. Despite personal tragedies, including the…

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has appointed Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM, and Dr. Tarika Barrett, CEO of Girls Who Code, as co-chairs of the Emerging Technology Advisory Board. This independent group aims to drive New York’s transformation into an innovation hub, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge technologies. Hochul announced the formation of the board during McKinsey’s Future of New York Summit on March 5, emphasizing its role in guiding the state’s growth and ensuring an equitable and successful emerging tech sector. Krishna expressed his honor in leading the advisory board and commended Governor Hochul’s…

Three Indian American women have been recognized for their achievements with the 2024 Power of Women Awards from Global Silicon Valley (GSV), a venture capital firm focusing on multiple stages of investment. The accolade celebrates influential female leaders committed to creating a future with equitable access to education. Anupama Vaid, Shalinee Sharma, and Bijal Shah are part of the 14 distinguished honorees this year. These women, including CEOs, presidents, and founders, are reshaping education to ensure everyone, from early childhood to adulthood, has equal opportunities for learning. Anupama Vaid, the president and founder of ParentSquare, conceived the idea for her…

Several Indian-Americans have earned spots on Atlanta Magazine’s 2024 list of the 500 most influential leaders, highlighting their significant impact and leadership roles. The list encompasses a diverse range of powerful individuals, spanning politicians, celebrities, industry veterans, activists, legends, and experts. Among the notable Indian American figures on the list are Aparna Bhattacharyya, Rohit Malhotra, Shaneel Lalani, Ambrish Baisiwala, Sanjay Gupta, Sanjay Sehgal, Kabir Bardey, and Romil Bahl, among others. Aparna Bhattacharyya serves as the executive director of Raksha, Inc., an organization dedicated to promoting resilience and wellness within the South Asian community through advocacy, education, and support services. Rohit…

The stage is set for the highly anticipated 4th edition of the FEF India Fashion Awards (IFA) 2024 presented by Pepsi in partnership with WION, scheduled to take place on March 7th and 8th, at St. Regis Hotel in Mumbai. Known for celebrating creativity and innovation in the fashion industry, this two-day event promises to be unlike any other platform, with an impressive line-up of influential figures from various sectors set to attend. Prominent figures attending the FEF India Fashion Awards include Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles, Government of…